Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Leander Paes join SEAC: Details here
10 Feb 2025

The Indian government has set up a new committee, Sports Experts Advisory Committee (SEAC), to guide the identification and nurturing of sports talent.

The 17-member panel, chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, will include three Olympic medalists - boxer Mary Kom, tennis star Leander Paes, and badminton champion Saina Nehwal.

Raksha Khadse, the union minister of state for sports, will be vice chairperson while the sports secretary or joint secretary will be convenor.

SEAC's mission and objectives
Panel goals

The SEAC's mission is to identify talent and guide the development of sub-junior and junior level athletes.

The committee will also oversee the selection of national athletes and teams, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

Further, it will monitor coaching facilities during national camps, evaluate the performance of Indian/foreign coaches attached to national teams, and keep a track of the progress of national campers.

SEAC to address athletes' grievances, monitor performance
Additional responsibilities

The SEAC will also look into athletes' grievances with National Sports Federations (NSFs) and give the government feedback on NSF systems.

The panel hopes to bring these systems in sync with best practices nationally and globally.

It will also monitor performance of Indian teams/sportspersons at international events, advise Sports Authority of India (SAI)/NSF in formulating Long Term Development Plan (LTDP), and reduce court cases related to selection policies and championships.

SEAC to strengthen internal institutional mechanism of NSFs
Institutional enhancement

The SEAC will also focus on solidifying the internal institutional mechanism of the NSFs. It plans to communicate government's programs and schemes directly with sportspersons through one-on-one interactions.

The committee will provide feedback on the quality of event arrangements, facilities, and infrastructure.

Other members of this committee include Shiny Abraham (athletics), Heena Sidhu (shooting), Maj Gen VK Bhatt (rowing), Zafar Iqbal (hockey), PK Garg (sailing), Armando Colaco (football), Ashok Kumar (wrestling), Bhanu Sachdeva (swimming), and Parul Dansukhbhai Parmer (para badminton).

Achievements of Mary, Saina, and Leander
Achievements

Mary has enjoyed a sensational career as one of the finest female boxers in history. She became the first Indian female boxer to claim an Olympic medal.

Meanwhile, Saina remains the first shuttler to bring an Olympic medal to India. She clinched the bronze medal in the women's singles event in 2012.

Legend Leander Paes claimed India's first Olympic medal in tennis, in the 1996 Atlanta Games.